After the enclosure was ripped, police found the clouded leopard which escaped from Dallas Zoo.

Officials at the Dallas Zoo announced that Friday’s safe recovery of a clouded leopard who had escaped from her Dallas Zoo enclosure hours before was confirmed by officials.

The clouded leopard, named Nova, “was located very near the original habitat, and teams were able to safely secure her just before 5:15 p.m.,” the zoo tweeted.

Dallas police launched a criminal investigation Friday after it was determined the fence in Nova’s enclosure was intentionally cut, police and the zoo said.

On Saturday, police said a cutting tool was used to create an opening in the fencing of the leopard’s habitat. Police said that a similar cut was made at the habitat for a monkey breed called a langur.

All the langurs were accounted for and “did not appear to be harmed, or in any danger,” police said. They said it wasn’t clear if the two incidents were related.

The zoo shut down for the day Friday as it dealt with the clouded leopard’s escape, which it described as “a serious incident.” Officials had said the animal was not dangerous.

“We have an ongoing situation at the zoo right now with a Code Blue — that is a non-dangerous animal that is out of its habitat,” the zoo tweeted Friday morning

Nova may have escaped through the opening that zoo officials originally described as a tear in Luna’s enclosure.

Zoo officials didn’t think Nova would venture far because she’s tight-knit with Luna, who is still in the habitat. They were right: Nova was discovered on Zoo property.

Harrison Edell, executive vice-president of animal care at the Dallas Zoo, stated that Nova probably hid in a treetop when he fled.

Mitchell explained that initially, police sent a SWAT team out to the zoo in order to determine the cat’s exact size.

The zoo said Saturday that an “overly vocal” squirrel tipped staff them off to an area to search for Nova, who, at that point, was starting to emerge from her hiding spot.

According to the zoo, she was secured and returned home in 30 minutes.

Nova was assessed by veterinarians and animal care teams. She was then returned to her habitat where she perched on a branch on Saturday, according the zoo.

Dallas welcomes Nova and Luna

Luna and Nova were both born at the Houston Zoo in November 2019. Before the leopards arrived in Dallas, Luna was described by the Houston Zoo as outgoing, while Nova was reserved.

It wrote in a blog entry that Nova is “a little more cautious, keeping a close eye on her surroundings.”

The Houston Zoo stated in 2020 that both cubs were being taught to follow handlers’ orders to return. It stated that the cubs had learned to enter a crate voluntarily, so they could be transported safely if needed.

Jessica Reyes, spokesperson for the Houston Zoo, said Nova and Luna were sent to the Dallas Zoo in July 2021 based on Association of Zoos & Aquariums recommendations to ensure genetically diverse populations of animals at zoos and aquariums.

Smallest of all the ‘big cats’

Edell stated that clouded Leopards can weigh 20 to 25 pounds and are not dangerous. They are small among wild “big cats” such as tigers and lions, jaguars and leopards.

These animals are found in Southeast Asia’s cloud forests and are considered one of the oldest cat species. Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. The institute described clouded leopards as a vulnerable species and said that there are less than 10,000 remaining mature individuals.

Edell stated that Nova was most likely hunting birds and squirrels Friday.

2004 gorilla escape

A 350-pound gorilla, weighing 350 lbs, escaped from its enclosure at Dallas Zoo’s Wilds of Africa exhibition on 106 acres. Four people were injured before the animal was shot and killed by police.

According to Jabari, two teenage boys stood on a trail that overlooked the gorilla exhibit and hurled ice or stones at Jabari. zoo records obtained by the Dallas Morning News In the days that followed.

The 13-year old gorilla ran amok in his compound, taking a toddler with him and attacking three other children before being stopped by officers.

According to records, a tranquilizer gun used in the zoo had failed. Police opened fire on Jabari, who was at 15 feet from officers holding a pair children’s sandals, according the newspaper.

The child who was injured was treated on the spot and released. The gorilla threw a woman against a wall, causing arm injuries.

Rivers Herd was 3 years old at the time. He was severely injured after he was bitten by the gorilla. Keisha Herd (26), was admitted to the hospital with minor injuries.

After the attack Jabari had “tried to eat my head,” said the child to his mother. told NBC News at the time.

This article was first published on NBCNews.com